Species guide · Louisiana
King mackerel fishing in Louisiana
Scomberomorus cavalla, a pelagic species also called kingfish, king and smoker kingfish. Listed for the Western Gulf region. Off season, about 20 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Atchafalaya and East Cote Blanche Bays at 35, one of 12 Louisiana bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Off seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Western Gulf
Off season, about 20 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: May to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.
Research notes, Western Gulf region
Western Gulf fish move north from Mexico in spring and back south in fall. A resident group of large fish stays around Louisiana platforms year-round (LSU Sea Grant). The Texas nearshore run starts in spring and ends with the first strong November front.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 12
Louisiana bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's king mackerel score this hour.
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 30 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 173 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 170 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 13 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 70 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 11 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 6 AM (35) · 3 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 5 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 6 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 125 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 12 AM (35) · 15 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 2 AM (35) · 9 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 68°F to 86°F, best between 70°F and 81°F.
- Water depth
- 15 to 250 ft of water.
- Structure
- Reef, wreck, ledge, pier, inlet, open water and bank, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and moving water, with moderate current.Near the beach and at pier ends, kings bite best when moving water pushes clean green water and bait along the shoreline and inlet mouths. Offshore, bait and current edges matter more than tide stage.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Kings roam from beaches and pier ends out to reefs, wrecks and ledges in 40 to 200 feet, usually feeding in the upper half of the water column. Slow-troll live menhaden, blue runners or cigar minnows on a light wire stinger rig, or pull spoons and ribbonfish past bait schools. Look for clean green water above 68 F with bait and birds on it.
- Methods
- slow trolling, trolling, drifting live bait, pier fishing, casting
- Lures
- spoons, deep-diving plugs, skirted duster rigs with ribbonfish, jigs
- Bait
- live menhaden, blue runners, cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, ribbonfish, ballyhoo, threadfin herring
Regulations
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Not synced yet, last verified Sep 13, 2026.
No reviewed king mackerel rule for Louisiana is on file yet. Check with LDWF before you keep one.